Two Views of the Cross and Why the Calvinists Get It Wrong with Frederica Mathewes-Green (Part 3)
In this episode, host James Newcomb engages in a deep theological discussion with Orthodox Christian scholar Frederica Mathewes-Green covering various aspects of Christian theology.
They delve into the differences between orthodox and Western Christian perspectives, particularly focusing on sin, forgiveness, and sacrifice.
Frederica turns the tables on the host, asking James about his personal journey from Presbyterianism to Reformed theology and ultimately to Orthodoxy.
James and Frederica also explore the stories and examples of saints, the interpretation of scriptures, and the contrasting images of the cross in Eastern and Western Christianity.
The discussion is anchored by Frederica’s book, ‘Two Views of the Cross,’ which contrasts critical theological views of Orthodoxy and Western Christianity.
Episode highlights:
00:00 Introduction: The Irony of Theological Studies
01:02 Personal Journey: From Baptocostal to Reformed to Orthodox Christian
01:36 A Quest for Stability
03:14 The Reformation and Its Aftermath
05:07 The Refrigerator Hermeneutic: Picking and Choosing Scripture
07:07 John 6: The Challenge of Literal Interpretation
08:10 The Story of St. Photini (the woman at the well)
09:37 The Power of Stories in Faith
10:46 Two Views of the Cross: A Book Discussion
14:23 Orthodox vs. Western Christianity: Forgiveness and Sacrifice
18:28 The Nature of Sin: Disease vs. Infraction
24:03 The Harshness of Calvinism: A Tragic Misunderstanding
27:59 The Importance of Forgiveness in Orthodoxy
29:03 Conclusion: Reflecting on the Discussion
Book mentioned:
Two Views of the Cross: Orthodoxy and the West by Frederica Mathewes-Green
About the guest:
“I write and speak on a wide range of topics. In recent years I’ve concentrated on ancient Christian spirituality and the Eastern Orthodox faith, but the hundreds of Posts and Essays on this site include movie reviews, humor, marriage and family, cultural issues, and more. Essays can be browsed by date or category, or you can use the search box at the right.
I travel to Speaking Engagements all year round; you can contact Cynthia Damaskos of the Orthodox Speakers Bureau if you’d like to bring me to an event. This Calendar will let you know when I’m in your neighborhood.
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